We all know the next generation F80 M3 is coming with a turbocharged inline-6 motor. What we did not know is whether ethanol compatibility would be something that BMW would test or consider. Ethanol is becoming very popular with owners of the N54 direct injected 3.0 liter twin turbo inline-6 used in the E82 135 and E9X 335 models. The fuel makes quite a difference especially in a direct injected application like what the new M3/M4 will be.

The spyphotos below show BMW testing the fuel in the upcoming M3. At this gas station the blue handle is for ethanol which is clearly what is being pumped. The green handle is for standard gas.

If the car has ethanol compatibility stock, this will make for a very interesting development for performance enthusiasts and tuners who have embraced the advantages offered by fuels like E85.

IMO I don't see E85 lasting all that long here in the US...at least at its current cheap pricing. The govt did away with all the subsidies for the farmers who sold corn to produce ethanol, so prices are going up. I'd rather see the US pushing for clean diesel instead of taking the food we could eat and turning it into fuel.

IMO I don't see E85 lasting all that long here in the US...at least at its current cheap pricing. The govt did away with all the subsidies for the farmers who sold corn to produce ethanol, so prices are going up. I'd rather see the US pushing for clean diesel instead of taking the food we could eat and turning it into fuel.

IMO I don't see E85 lasting all that long here in the US...at least at its current cheap pricing. The govt did away with all the subsidies for the farmers who sold corn to produce ethanol, so prices are going up. I'd rather see the US pushing for clean diesel instead of taking the food we could eat and turning it into fuel.

I remember when E85 used to be only $1.50 per gallon back in 2008...

I would fill up my whole tank with just 20 bucks and all my friends/co-workers would get jealous as they were still paying the price for regular gas lol.

I don't plan on buying one, but this is kind of exciting because it tells me we might be able to rob the parts bin for our own cars. My guess is that it will have a better LPFP and HPFP, among other things.

That'd be excellent. Just hoping that its turbos have TONS of potential in them and aren't tapped out of the factory.

As far as I know ALL OEM turbo cars are tapped out once you get passed bolt ons+ tune power levels.

I mean it makes sense, for 90% of their drivers stock is more than good enough and it means a low boost threshold, better fuel economy and virtually nonexistent turbo lag. However, i does suck for the guys that gotta have more... which is us.